Alumni of the Year

Alumni of the Year honorary title is given to alumni who have used the abilities they have acquired at the university in a positive way and increased the interaction among the university, the society, and the economy and inspired other alumni.

 Vaasan yliopistoseura (the Vaasa University Society) acts as a panel, to select the Alumni of the Year each year. 

Who do you think would be a good choice for the University of Vaasa's Alumni of the Year?

Nominate the Alumni of the Year
The deadline for responses is 31.7.2024. There will be a prize draw for University of Vaasa merchandise among the respondents. 
 

Jarno Syrjälä is the alumnus of the year 2023

Under-Secretary of State Jarno Syrjälä has been named alumnus of the year 2023 at the University of Vaasa. Syrjälä graduated with a master's degree in economics and business administration in 1988 from the former degree programme in marketing and international trade. Since graduation, he has built an impressive career as a diplomat, and he has also shared his expertise as a lecturer and seminar speaker at the university.

Read more about Jarno

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Tiina Helenius is alumni of the Year 2022

Tiina Helenius, the cheif economist of the Mutual Pension Insurance Company Elo is our alumni of the year 2022. Helenius graduated in 1992 with a master's degree in economics. 

Read more about Tiina 

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Jakamo's team is Alumni of the Year 2021

For the first time, a team was awarded as the alumni of the year at the University of Vaasa instead of a person. The award-winning team includes nine founders or core influencers of the growth company Jakamo. They are also alumni or doctoral alumni of the University of Vaasa.

The alumni of the Year are Jarl Matti AnttilaTimo RossiJukka VesalainenMatti MannerMatti MäkeläAnssi UittoTapio NiemiTommi Ranta, Anssi Kumpula ja Aki Vainio

Eeva Kalli is Alumni of the Year 2020 

The Vaasa University Society has chosen Eeva Kalli as the University of Vaasa Alumni of the year. Eeva Kalli is an excellent example of what the University of Vaasa represents: strong expertise, courage and innovation.

Samuli Manninen is alumni of the Year 2018 

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Alumni of the Year 2018 is M.Sc. Samuli Mannisen, success full in his business and a very active alumni. He has among other things arranged several alumni meetings in the Helsinki area over the years, thus raising awareness about University of Vaasa. 

Previous Alumni of the Year

Previous Alumni of the Year are  Anne KorkiakoskiSari Essayah and Kari Leppilahti.